Dan and Whitney are these wonderfully salty people, who live close to the earth (they are dairy farmers -- and amazing ones!), operate their business with integrity, and are raising their daughter with gentleness and deep faith. When Whitney asked if I'd take her on as a birth story client, even though her own due date was the same month as mine, it was actually a no-brainer. I knew she was planning a natural home birth with the same midwife who attends my own births, and that being witness to her birth would be an encouragement to me personally as I mentally prepare to go through birth again.
In the end, it was deemed wisest to have this baby in the context of a hospital, but the "natural" part of the plan stuck, and our midwife did, too. The result was an unplugged, well-supported, and peaceful birth. Whitney was so centered and confident through it all that at one point the OB joked that her birth was like a self-service operation! Indeed, she was in full command and she did an amazing job, as Dan ceaselessly and fearlessly lent his strength from beginning to end.
After just 4.5 hours of active labor, little baby Beau was born at 9:11 pm, gathered to his mama's chest, and held in the loving gaze of his Papa while Sara and I looked on with misty eyes. :) He weighed in at exactly 9 lbs and 21 inches.
Thank you, Whitney and Dan, for inviting me into this experience with you. I'm amazed at your little family, and pray rich blessings over you all. Thank you, Whitney and Dan, for inviting me into this experience with you. I'm amazed at your little family, and pray rich blessings over you all.
Note: This was my last birth story I was scheduled to photograph before my maternity leave begins. I'm starting up again at the end of June. If you are newly pregnant and interested in having me capture your birth story, now is the time to inquire, as my summer/fall calendar is already beginning to fill up.